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Sector losing policy battle as CPhO faces mounting criticism

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Sector losing policy battle as CPhO faces mounting criticism

If there were any small doubts remaining about what the high-ups in Government really think of community pharmacy, they were surely dispelled by revelations in the High Court last month, whatever the final ruling in the judicial reviews.

Inefficient, over-subsidised sandwich sellers seems to cover it – a sentiment so misleading, ill-informed and wide of the mark it seems wrong to dignify it with a comment. However, it is the clearest sign yet that, even with the benefit of enormous public support, pharmacy in England is still failing to gain the policy high ground where it matters.

At difficult times like these, it would be helpful to have the most senior pharmacist in Government circles, the chief pharmaceutical officer, championing the sector and defending its interests and that of the patients it serves. After all, surely the role of the chief pharmacist is to stand up for all parts of the profession, community included.

That didn’t appear to be the case at the recent chief pharmaceutical officer’s conference. The lengths to which Keith Ridge went not to mention community pharmacy, especially in a clinical context, would have been comical if the implications weren’t so serious.

No doubt aware of his growing number of detractors in the sector, he told delegates, with a certain relish, that he wasn’t going anywhere. That may or may not be the case. Confidence in his ability, even willingness, to represent community pharmacists in Whitehall, in an even-handed way, is waning fast – and these things don’t go unnoticed in the corridors of power.

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